Argentina, Bolivia sign agreement to develop nuclear energy

31 March 2015

Argentina and Bolivia have signed a cooperation agreement to promote and develop infrastructure and institutions for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the Bolivian ministry of hydrocarbons and energy said on 28 March.

The agreement was signed by the head of the ministry, Luis Alberto Sanchez, and Argentina's minister for federal planning, Julio de Vido, during Sanchez's official visit to Buenos Aires.

The agreement will "strengthen the scientific, technical and financial support in national nuclear programs under the framework of [Bolivia's] national legislation and its international obligations", the ministry said.

Argentina's support will include the design, construction and operation of nuclear power plants and research reactors, as well as radioactive waste management. Cooperation would also involve research into the use of radioisotopes in medicine and agriculture.

In October last year, Bolivian president Evo Morales said the country would invest more than $2 billion in the development of nuclear energy over the next decade.

In July, following a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Morales said that Russia had offered Bolivia "a comprehensive plan for the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes."

Bolivia has also held discussion with Argentina about its cooperation to support a nuclear power program in Bolivia, and an agreement was signed in May 2013. Iran and France have also offered Bolivia support.